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The Evolving Role of the CISO in Cyber Incident Response

In today’s digital landscape, Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) are tasked with ensuring the protection of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data within organizations. However, the responsibility for ensuring availability has largely shifted to other executives, specifically Chief Information Officers (CIOs) or facilities management. This division of responsibilities can complicate response efforts during a cyber incident.

As highlighted by cybersecurity expert Blake, the current framework often positions the CISO in a reactive role during incidents. “BCDR (Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery) is typically overseen by the CIO or facilities, but in a cyber crisis, it is the CISO who is directly engaged with the aftermath of the attack, while the infrastructure support is managed by the CIO,” Blake explains. This distinction underscores a critical tension between the roles during a cyber crisis.

CIOs may not delve into the details of cyber incidents with the same rigor as CISOs. Their focus may be more on backup solutions and remediation strategies, which can create a conflict of priorities after an attack. As Blake points out, “They [CIOs] may have a different approach to incident response, emphasizing recovery mechanisms over direct threat mitigation.” This can impede the overall operational response needed to effectively address cyber threats.

To enhance incident response effectiveness, it is essential for CISOs to have an integral role during these critical moments. Ideally, collaboration between the CISO and CIO should begin well before an incident occurs and continue throughout the event. Blake notes, “Organizations that successfully minimize downtime typically adopt a shared responsibility model. They have streamlined processes for transitioning tasks between the two roles, ensuring that all aspects of the incident are managed without oversight.”

In conclusion, fostering a cooperative relationship between the CISO and CIO is crucial for developing a robust incident response strategy. By working together, organizations can not only improve their immediate response to cyber threats but also enhance their overall resilience against future incidents.

Source
www.csoonline.com